Bald eagle attacking pets in Michigan

Bird nicknamed 'Derrick' snatched up woman's small dog

They're a symbol of everything our great country stands for. The majestic bald eagle.

It doesn't get more patriotic than our nation's bird, and most people are glad to see a slice of Americana in their own backyard.

But not in Sebewaing, Mich.

"He's a nuisance bird," resident Tami Bieri said.

Tami Bieri is fed up. Ever since the young animal made his presence known just off Beck Street. Bieri says the bird that her daughter named "Derrick" has been terrorizing her pets.

"I left my two dogs outside and my smaller dog was attacked by an eagle. And then as the eagle was taking off with the dog, my Jack Russell attacked the eagle and both dogs got away," Bieri said.

Now Bieri wants something done to evict the newest feathered resident. But so far, she says she's not getting much help.

"He's federally protected. I've called the DNR, the Sebewaing police, and they pretty much say there's nothing they can do because the eagle's not injured," Bieri said.

A bird expert at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources told WNEM the most important thing residents can do is let Derrick know he's not welcome.

"Clap your hands and yell at the bird when you see the bird around, bang on a pot when you see the bird around, go out there with an umbrella, flap the umbrella opened and closed to try and spook the bird off just so it doesn't feel settled around people," bird expert Karen Cleveland said.

Cleveland also warns pet owners to keep their animals close until the eagle is gone. She says eventually, with a little help from humans, the juvenile bird will go away.

"It should start to display a little bit more of what you consider a normal eagle behavior," Cleveland said.